TEAM NORTHERN LIGHTS 1 CAPTURES COUNTY ENVIROTHON TITLE!

The Garrett County Envirothon Competition was held on April 28th, 2015, at the Maryland 4-H Environmental Education and Camping Center in Swanton, MD. The full day of competition was preceded by a full day of training which was held on April 14th at the Hickory Environmental Education Center. Teacher/Coaches and teams from Northern and Southern High Schools trained and competed in this year’s event.

Resource trainers from area agencies provide volunteer training and mentoring throughout the year for students and provided the training on April 14th and testing for competition day on April 28th. The five categories of competition are always wildlife, aquatics, forestry, soils, and a special 5th issue which is selected each year. Resource personnel who assisted with this year’s training/competition included Jody Johnson, Alan Klotz, and Kenny Wampler for AQUATICS; Carrie Colebank, Chuck Hayes, Butch Miller, and Shaun Sanders for SOILS; Rande Brown, Rob Harvey, and Clarissa Harris for WILDLIFE, Tim Cole, Melissa Nash, and Will Williams for FORESTRY; and Ann Sherrard for the 5th ISSUE which was URBAN/COMMUNITY FORESTRY. Coaches included Rebecca Kenyon-Sisler, James Beeman, and Erin Coffman. Special assistance was provided by Debbie Brenneman, Sharon Hoover, Daymond Schmuck, and Jason Shank of Hickory Environmental Education Center as well as Scott Germain and Cody Wilt (GCPS Food Service), Michelle Harman (GCPS Secondary Education event organizer) and Kristi Winters (GCPS Secondary Education), and Mike Brady and Darrell Spence from the 4-H Center.

The winning team will continue to train to prepare for the June 17-18 Maryland State Competition to be held at St. Mary’s College.

For more information about Garrett County Envirothon Teams and Competitions, contact Michelle Harman at michelle.harman@garrettcountyschools.org.

Duncan Smith and Blake Smith of Stoneflies 1 work through Wildlife Station by identifying and aging species

NHS Northern Lights 1 team members Jordan Short, Kylie Frantz, Katie Carpenter, Blake Meyers, and Kyle Klotz complete the Forestry portion of the competition as they determine the diameter and other features of a selected tree